Biblical Studies (3 Courses)

• This series of introductory courses is designed to provide a solid foundation in understanding the Holy Scriptures within the life of the Church. Introduction to the Holy Bible offers an overview of the entire Bible, exploring its structure, divine inspiration, unity, and the principles of Orthodox interpretation.

• Introduction to the Old Testament focuses on the themes, structure, and key figures of the Old Testament, highlighting God’s covenant with His people, the history of Israel, and the prophetic writings.

• Introduction to the New Testament presents the life and teachings of Christ, the formation of the early Church, and the major theological themes found in the Gospels and Epistles. Together, these courses aim to deepen the student’s appreciation of Scripture as the living Word of God and a central pillar of the Orthodox faith.

Dogmatic Theology (2 Courses)

• Dogmatic Theology I covers key topics in dogmatic theology, including the nature and attributes of God, the Holy Trinity, and the Holy Spirit. It explores major heresies, Christology, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Incarnation, and the doctrine of salvation.

• Dogmatic Theology II builds on Dogmatic Theology I by focusing on the works of God in the Church. It aims to deepen understanding of Orthodox doctrines, such as the sacraments of the Church.

Church History (2 Courses)

• Church History I introduces the political, religious, and cultural context of early Christianity, tracing the Church’s challenges and triumphs up to the 10th century, with a focus on major theological conflicts from the 3rd to 5th centuries.

• Church History II continues from the 11th century to today, highlighting key events in Coptic Church history, including the Arab conquest, Napoleon’s invasion, British occupation, and the modern era.

Liturgical Studies

• The course covers key elements of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil, including the Raising of Incense, the Offertory, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Faithful. It also explores the Agpeya and the praises in the church.

Comparative Theology

• Comparative Theology explores the similarities and differences between Oriental Orthodox Christianity and other Christian denominations, such as Catholicism and Protestantism, as well as major world religions. The course also examines the theological perspectives of contemporary sects and movements, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Science, and others, offering an Orthodox response to their beliefs and practices.

Patristics

• Patristics is the study of the early Church Fathers whose writings were crucial in shaping core Christian doctrines and biblical interpretation. They deepened our understanding of the nature of Christ and the Trinity and offered guidance on reading the Old and New Testaments. This course focuses on key Anti-Nicene Fathers, emphasizing their impact on theology and the unity of the Church.

Apologetics

• Apologetics is the theological discipline focused on defending the Christian faith through reason, Scripture, and historical evidence. This course equips students with the tools to respond to common questions and objections about Orthodox Christianity. Topics include the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, the divinity of Christ, the Resurrection, and Orthodox responses to modern challenges such as atheism, moral relativism, and secularism. Students will learn to communicate their faith with clarity, confidence, and love.

Leadership and Management

• This course focus on the principles of leadership and management within a church setting. The course covers goal setting, planning, decision-making, motivation, and delegation, while emphasizing the unique aspects of spiritual leadership and ethical responsibilities in ministry.

• This course provides an introduction to the Coptic language and the rich hymnological heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Students will learn to read and pronounce Coptic texts, understand essential liturgical phrases, and become familiar with the various tunes and melodies of hymns used throughout the liturgical seasons of the Church year.